Office relocation in Dubai is more than moving desks. You also have lease paperwork, a trade licence address, utilities, building permits and an IT network that must keep running. This guide gives you the full order of work, from the first month of planning to the day after the move.
If you want a team to handle the physical move, see our office movers in Dubai service.
Office relocation Dubai timeline at a glance
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 2 to 3 months before | Check your lease and notice period, choose the new office, pick one coordinator |
| 6 to 8 weeks before | Survey and written quote from the movers, ask for building rules, plan IT and internet |
| 3 to 4 weeks before | Book the move date and lift, start the Ejari, DEWA and trade licence steps, tell staff and clients |
| 1 to 2 weeks before | Sort, clean out and start packing, label everything, confirm the building permit |
| Moving day | Move after hours or on a weekend, IT sets up the network first |
| After the move | Check everything, update your address, finish the old lease handover |
These timings are a guide. Start earlier if your office is large or your building has strict rules.
1. Check your lease and set the moving date
Read your current tenancy contract for the notice period and the end date. If you can, get access to the new office a little before you leave the old one. A short overlap makes the move calmer, but you may pay rent on both offices, so plan for it. Choose a moving date that is quiet for your business.
2. Choose one person to lead the move
Pick one coordinator inside your company. This person talks to the movers, both building managers, the IT team and the landlord. One point of contact avoids mixed messages and missed steps.
3. Ask for a survey and a written quote
A mover who has not seen your office cannot give a reliable price. Ask for a free survey, where the team visits, checks the furniture, the lifts, the parking and the access, and then sends a written quote. Compare written quotes, not phone estimates. You can request a moving quote from us and we will arrange the survey.
4. Dubai paperwork: Ejari, DEWA and trade licence
Your new address has to be registered before you can fully operate there. The usual steps are:
- Ejari: register the new tenancy contract with the Dubai Land Department as soon as it is signed. Cancel the old one after you leave.
- DEWA: contact DEWA to arrange the move-in at the new office and the final bill and move-out at the old one.
- Trade licence: update the office address with Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET) or your free zone authority. This can include an inspection, so do not leave it to the last week.
Rules and timings change, so confirm the current requirements with the authority before you rely on them.
5. Building rules and move permits
Most commercial towers have rules for moving. Ask both building managers early about:
- Allowed moving hours, often outside business hours or on weekends
- Lift booking and a protected route for furniture
- A move-in and move-out permit, and a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the landlord
- Parking space for the moving truck
- Any deposit or fee
Some buildings ask the moving company for its trade licence and insurance details, so ask your mover for these in good time.
6. Plan the IT and internet move
IT is the part that most often delays Monday morning. Plan it early:
- Ask your internet provider to arrange the line at the new office well before the move.
- Back up your data and keep a copy outside the office.
- Label every cable and device with the name of the desk it belongs to.
- Have your IT provider on site on moving day and set up the network first.
7. Make a floor plan for the new office
Decide where each desk, cabinet and meeting table will go before moving day. Give each item a label that matches the plan. The movers can then place everything in the right spot at once, and your team can start work faster on the first morning.
8. Sort, clean out and pack
Do not move what you do not need. Shred old documents, recycle broken equipment and archive files. Pack by department, and label every box with the department, the desk and a number. Keep confidential documents in locked boxes and move them with a trusted person from your company.
9. Pick the right time: after hours and phased moves
Traffic on the main roads at peak hours can slow trucks a lot, and many buildings only allow moving at set times. Moving in the evening or at the weekend protects both your working hours and your schedule. For a large office, you can also move in phases, one floor or one department at a time. Our team offers weekend and after-hours office moves, so your staff can leave on a Friday evening and return on Monday to a working office.
10. Check everything after the move
Once the move is done, walk through the new office with your coordinator. Check that all items arrived, that furniture is not damaged and that the network, phones and printers work. Report any problem to the moving company straight away.
11. Update your address everywhere
- Trade licence and company documents
- Website, Google Business Profile and email signatures
- Bank, insurance and supplier accounts
- Business cards, invoices and letterheads
What does an office move cost besides the movers?
Moving costs are only part of the budget. Plan for these as well:
- Agency commission and security deposit for the new lease
- Government fees for Ejari, DEWA and the trade licence update
- Fit-out or small repairs, even for a ready office
- Rent on both offices during the overlap
- Make-good (reinstatement) work at the old office, which can affect your deposit
Need storage during the move?
If your new office is not ready yet, or you need to keep furniture for a while, we can store it in our own warehouse. See our moving and storage service.
Quick checklist
- ☐ Lease, notice period and moving date confirmed
- ☐ One coordinator chosen
- ☐ Survey done and written quote received
- ☐ Ejari, DEWA and trade licence steps started
- ☐ Building rules, lift and move permit confirmed
- ☐ Internet line booked and IT backup done
- ☐ Floor plan ready for the new office
- ☐ Boxes labelled by department
- ☐ After-hours move booked
- ☐ Post-move check done
- ☐ Address updated everywhere
Office Relocation in Dubai: Common Questions
How early should I plan an office move in Dubai?
Start planning two to three months ahead, or earlier for a large office. This gives you time for the survey, the written quote, the Ejari and trade licence steps, the building permit and your IT setup.
How much does an office move cost in Dubai?
The price depends on the size of the office, the amount of furniture and IT equipment, the floor and lift access, and the moving date and time. A survey is the only way to get a reliable price. We give a written quote after a free survey.
Can you move our office at night or on the weekend?
Yes. We offer evening and weekend office moves so your team does not lose working hours.
Can you move IT equipment and computers?
Yes, our team handles IT and furniture. Back up your data before the move, label the cables, and ask your IT provider to be there on moving day to set up the network.
Do I need a permit to move out of an office building in Dubai?
Many commercial buildings ask for a move-in and move-out permit, a lift booking and sometimes a NOC from the landlord. Ask both building managers early, as the rules differ from building to building.
Can you store our furniture if the new office is not ready?
Yes. We have our own warehouse in Al Quoz, so we can store office furniture and equipment until the new office is ready.
Ready to move your office?
Choose & Move has been moving offices in Dubai since 2014, with our own trucks, crew and warehouse. Get a free survey and a written quote, and plan your office move in Dubai with a team that handles it from start to finish.
Call or WhatsApp: +971 50 535 7334
